High LRRK2 Levels Fail to Induce or Exacerbate Neuronal Alpha-Synucleinopathy in Mouse Brain

The G2019S mutation in the multidomain protein leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is one of the most frequently identified genetic causes of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Clinically, LRRK2(G2019S) carriers with PD and idiopathic PD patients have a very similar disease with brainstem and cortical Lewy pathology (α-synucleinopathy) as histopathological hallmarks. Some patients have Tau pathology. Enhanced kinase function of the LRRK2(G2019S) mutant protein is a prime suspect mechanism for carriers to develop PD but observations in LRRK2 knock-out, G2019S knock-in and kinase-dead mutant mice suggest that LRRK2 steady-state abundance of the protein also plays a determining role. One critical question concerning the molecular pathogenesis in LRRK2(G2019S) PD patients is whether α-synuclein (aSN) has a contributory role. To this end we generated mice with high expression of either wildtype or G2019S mutant LRRK2 in brainstem and cortical neurons. High levels of these LRRK2 variants left endogenous aSN and Tau levels unaltered and did not exacerbate or otherwise modify α-synucleinopathy in mice that co-expressed high levels of LRRK2 and aSN in brain neurons. On the contrary, in some lines high LRRK2 levels improved motor skills in the presence and absence of aSN-transgene-induced disease. Therefore, in many neurons high LRRK2 levels are well tolerated and not sufficient to drive or exacerbate neuronal α-synucleinopathy

Valorisation of Biowastes for the Production of Green Materials Using Chemical Methods

With crude oil reserves dwindling, the hunt for a sustainable alternative feedstock for fuels and materials for our society continues to expand. The biorefinery concept has enjoyed both a surge in popularity and also vocal opposition to the idea of diverting food-grade land and crops for this purpose. The idea of using the inevitable wastes arising from biomass processing, particularly farming and food production, is, therefore, gaining more attention as the feedstock for the biorefinery. For the three main components of biomass—carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins—there are long-established processes for using some of these by-products. However, the recent advances in chemical technologies are expanding both the feedstocks available for processing and the products that be obtained. Herein, this review presents some of the more recent developments in processing these molecules for green materials, as well as case studies that bring these technologies and materials together into final products for applied usage

Electro-Chemo-Mechanical Couplings in Swelling Clays Derived by Homogenization : Electroviscous Effects and Onsager's Relations

International audienc

Modèles à deux et trois échelles pour l'étude des phénomènes électro-chimio-mécaniques dans les milieux poreux gonflants

National audienc

Electro-Chemo-Mechanical Couplings in Swelling Clays Derived by Homogenization : Electroviscous Effects and Onsager's Relations

International audienc

Modèles à deux et trois échelles pour l'étude des phénomènes électro-chimio-mécaniques dans les milieux poreux gonflants

National audienc

Electro-Chemo-Mechanical Couplings in Swelling Clays Derived by Homogenization : Electroviscous Effects and Onsager's Relations

International audienc

A multiscale approach for the homogenization of clay materials

International audienc

De l'électro-chimio-mécanique locale au comportement macroscopique des milieux poreux déformables : un exercice de changement d'échelle

International audienc

Modèle à deux et trois échelles pour l'étude des phénomènes électro-hydro-chimio-mécaniques dans les milieux poreux gonflants

International audienc